"Akroterion" redirects here. For the journal, see Akroterion (journal).

An acroterion or acroterium (pl. akroteria)[1] is an architectural ornament placed on a flat pedestal, the acroter or plinth, and mounted at the apex or corner of the pediment of a building in the classical style.[2] An acroterion placed at the outer angles of the pediment is an acroterion angularium (angulārium means ‘at the corners’).

The acroterion may take a wide variety of forms, such as a statue, tripod, disc, urn, palmette or some other sculpted feature. Acroteria are also found in Gothic architecture.[3] They are sometimes incorporated into furniture designs.[4]

Etymology

The word comes from the Greek akrōtḗrion (ἀκρωτήριον 'summit, extremity'), from the comparative form of the adjective ἄκρος, ("extreme", "endmost") + -τερος (comparative suffix) + -ιον (substantivizing neuter form of adjectival suffix -ιος). It was Latinized by the Romans as acroterium.[5] Akroteria or Acroteria is the plural of both the original Greek[6] and the Latin form.[7]

According to Webb, during the Hellenistic period the winged victory or Nike figure was considered to be "the most appropriate motif for figured akroteria.”[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ Webb, Pamela A. (1996). Hellenistic Architectural Sculpture: Figural motifs in western Anatolia and the Aegean islands. Madison, Wisconsin: The University of Wisconsin Press. p. 26.
  2. ^ "Acroterian". Merriam Webster
  3. ^ Harris, Cyril M. (1983). Illustrated Dictionary of Historic Architecture. Courier Corporation. p. 5. ISBN 9780486244440.
  4. ^ "acroterion - architecture"
  5. ^
  6. ^ McCarver (ed.). "Glossary of architectural terms". McArver Ancient History. Greek Architecture. Porter-Gaud School. Archived from the original on 8 September 2006. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  7. ^ Smith, Philip (1875). "Acroterium". A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities. Thayer, Bill (ed.). University of Chicago. Retrieved 2021-01-26.

Further reading

  • Danner, Peter (1989). Griechische Akrotere der archaischen und klassischen Zeit [Greek acroteria of the archaic and classical periods]. Rivista di archeologia, supplementary vol. 5. Rome: Bretschneider, ISBN 88-7698-045-8.
  • Goldberg, Marilyn Y. (1977). Types and distribution of archaic Greek akroteria. Bryn Mawr.
  • Reinhardt, Corinna (2018). Akroter und Architektur. Figürliche Skulptur auf Dächern griechischer Bauten vom 6. bis zum 4. Jahrhundert v. Chr. [Acroter and architecture. Figurative sculpture on the roofs of Greek buildings from the 6th to the 4th century BC]. Image & Context, vol. 18. Berlin/Boston: de Gruyter, ISBN 978-3-11-053880-9.